Dietmar Dueck

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DIETMAR DUECK

Much too soon, Dietmar Dueck passed away on February 22, 2015.

Dietmar was predeceased by his father, Hermann Dueck in 1981.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Barbara; son, Michael; son, Ryan and Megan; daughter, Meagan and Kyle Friesen; beloved grandchildren, Madison and Wesley Dueck; mother, Irma Dueck; brothers, Lothar (Geraldine) and Armin (Antje); sisters, Christine (Reinhard Penner) and Gabriele Penner; parents-in-law, David and Mary Hiebert; sisters-in-law, Colleen (George Loewen), Mary Jane (Wayne Bell), Ellen (Murray Penner); and his many, much loved, nieces and nephews.

Dietmar was born in Winnipeg, Mb on January 11, 1956, just minutes before his “younger” brother Armin. He was raised on the family farm in Kleefeld, Mb. His childhood years were filled with mischief and mayhem, and a great deal of love.

After graduating from high school in 1974, he joined the work force and had a variety of jobs, but his heart was set on driving long distance and he pestered George Adams at Penner Transfer relentlessly, until he finally convinced George to take a chance and hire him even though he was several years short of their minimum age requirement.

In that same year he met Barb and in May of 1978 they were married. When his first son was born in 1980 he decided that, as much as he loved trucking, he loved his family more, and needed to be around to see his children grow. And so it was that in 1981 he and Barb bought a farm near Kleefeld, and became dairy farmers. Life on the farm was often hard, but always rewarding.

1n 1995, an old hockey injury forced him to give up farming, and so the family moved to Mitchell, Mb and he went back to trucking. In 2003 Barb joined him in the truck and for nearly 12 years, and more than 2 million miles, they worked together, and would have happily continued to do so for many years more. In 2005 they joined the team at Payne Transportation and immediately found a home there that they greatly appreciated.

Dietmar worked hard, loved much, and lived life to the fullest. Whether he was milking cows or showing cows, driving the truck or the tractor and baler, watching his kids play ball, hockey, ringette or volleyball, being a 4-H leader or a hockey coach, being a dad and a grandpa, he did it to the best of his ability, and loved every minute of it.

First, and foremost, Dietmar was a family man. He devoted himself to his wife and children, working hard to provide for them, and enjoying, to the utmost, the time he was given to spend with them. His most rewarding time was spent with family and friends at the cottage where he loved to go fishing, sit around the campfire, and cook up a feast on the BBQ.

He discovered some years ago that his real wealth lay the relationships he built with his wife, his children, his family and friends, and those he came into contact with in the course of daily living. Dietmar invested heavily and was richly rewarded. He often commented on the fact that he thought himself the richest man in the world.

When, on January 23, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer he quickly resigned himself to the fact that he would not live a long life, but he was determined to make each day left to him a meaningful one. Hopeful that with treatment, months might turn into a year or even two, he and Barb made plans for how they would fill their summer with family and friends, at the cottage as much as possible.

Sadly, it was not to be. On Sunday, February 22, content in the knowledge that he had left nothing unsaid, and prepared to meet his God face to face, he slipped away quickly and peacefully, enveloped in the love of his family and many friends.

Dietmar teased mercilessly, gave generously, loved unconditionally, and was much loved in return. He taught us how to live life well, and though we will miss him desperately, we rejoice in the fact that his suffering ended quickly, and that he lives eternally with God, where we will one day be reunited.

We will meet to celebrate Dietmar’s life on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 10:30am at the Steinbach Mennonite Church. Viewing will be available at the church on Friday from 6:30 to 7:30, followed by a short devotional, and at the church prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Kidsport Manitoba or to CancerCare Manitoba.

Friends FUNERAL SERVICE
2146 Main Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R2V 3S5
Tel: 204-339-5555
Fax: 204-339-5225
website: www.friendsfs.ca
email: f_f_s@mymts.net

As published in The Carillon on Feb 25, 2015